Repair plug for inner tubes



.':May 1, 1923. 1,453,485

J. R. vosBuRGH REPAIR PLUG FOR INNER TUBES Filed Feb. 7 1923 gnou/Wrox Y n'm/ 7" l .y0- yl y////////////// ///////////f,1

fz o l' sa Federated May 1, i923,

i 7 im' A JOHN R. VOSBURGH, 0F JOHNSTGVN, NEVI YORK.

@il e i REPAIR PLUG FOR INNER Application filed February 7, 1923.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN l. Vosnnncn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Johnstown, in the county of Fulton and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Repair Plugs for Inner Tubes, of which the following is a specificatioin'reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to repair plugs for closing holes or punctures in flexible tubing such as hose, pneumatic tire tubes, and the like, and an important objectof the invention is to provide a device which is capable of use for closing punctures of different sizes and which, by the'use of alternative parts, may be employed for closing rents such as formed by blowouts.

A. further object of the invention is 'to provide a device of this character which in effect rivets itself upon the tube to which it is applied, providing l a perfect airtight seal without relying upon the use of cement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which lends itself readily to the operation of closing the puncture and in which there is no necessity for holding the device in adjusted positions while making applications of its several parts, as willl be hereinafter described.

These and other objects I accomplish by the construction and arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout.

In the drawings,

Figures 1 to 4L inclusive are sectional views showing varioussteps in the installation of the plug and washers;

Figure 5 shows one manner of modifying the construction of the washers for use with rents or tears in the tube;

sensi no. 617,503.

the head has formed thereon an enlargement 13, the face of which, adjacent the head 11, forms the shoulder 14. The upper surface ofthe enlargement 111 tapers, as at 15, to the normal size of the stem. Upon the outer end of the stem an enlargement 1G is provided, the"` purpose of which will presently appear. In conjunction with the plug I employ washers 17, each,concavo-convex` in form, and having a central aperture 18 for the reception of the stem. In the majority of instances these washers will be provided at the convex fac-e lthereof with anenlargement 19 on the bore and of a size sufficient to permit seating of the end of the enlargement 13, though in some instances it may he desirable to form the washer withoutthis enlargement. In some forms, washers such as illustrated in maybe necessary. In this figure a substantially oval washer is provided which is concavo-convei; in cross section. rI`hese washers will be employed for .closing rents and slits in the tubes and will be provided rwith a plurality of openings 1S for the reception of plugs.

In the use of the device, the plug 10 has attached thereto a'string or similar retain- ,o

ing element 20 and is forced through the opening or puncture 21 of the tube T.` A. washer` 17 is applied to the stem 12 by. threading v the same `upon Vthe retaining element 20v and is likewise forced through the opening 21. 'Ilie retaining element is then employed to draw the stem through the opening until the shoulder 1,4: has passedtherethrough and engages upon the opposite side of the tube from the washer 17v and' head 11, as illustratedin 2.

A second washer 17 is then employed, this i second washer being of that type having the enlargement 19 of the central opening 18 thereof. rIhis washer is forced downwardly upon the enlargement and the stem 12 tensioned until that portion thereof between the head 11 and the enlargement 13 is stretched a suiiicientdistance to permit the seating of the second washer 17 about the stem between the head 11 and enlargement 13. rl`he stem is then released and the enlargement seats in the enlarged opening of the washer .when the stem may be cut off flush with the upper surface of the washer, the portion of the enlargement retained within the enlargement of the central open` ing forming in effect a rivet head maintaining the sections in assembled relation.

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lll/There the opening 2l is suiiiciently small the Washer l? between the head and tube may be dispensed with and the head ll employed to close the opening, and Where the openingis too large lior a single circular Washer l?, an irregularly-shaped Washer such as previously described may be einployed. It vvill be obvious that the tension applied by the stein between the enlargement and the head will be suflicient to force the Washer l? lirmly into Contact with the tube to seal the opening 21.. li desired, cement may be employed in applyin` the plug, but in many instances this Will not be necessary.

Many changes beingpossible in the speciiic construction and shaping oit the Washers hereinbefore described `without in any manner departing trom my invention l do not limit myself to such specirfic structure as hereinbefore set forth, except as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed, is:

l. Means for sealing punctures in tubes and the like, comprising` in combination a mushroom-shaped plug; having an enlfi ffement on the stem thereoiu provided vvil shoulder facing' the head, and an elastic Washer adapted to surround the stem between the shoulder and the head at the opposite side of the tube being' repaired from the head.

2. Means for sealing punctures in tubes and the like, comprising` in combination. a mushroom-shaped plug` having;` an enlargement on the stem thereof provided with a shoulder facing the head, and an elastic Washer adapted to surround the stem between the shoulder and the head at the opposite side of the tube being repaired from ii 'form and being` provided in the convex thereof and having a shoulder facing the head, a Washer concave-convex in form and having` its convex face abutting the concave race of the'head and its'concave lace adapted to abut the inner face of the tube to be repaired.

e. A sealing plug for use in closingv punctures in tubes comprising Aa mushroomshaped element formed ot rubber and having an enlargen'ient upon the stem thereof, having shoulder facing the head and concave-convex Washers having their concave races opposed mounted upon the stemintermediate the enlargement and the head and adapted to receive therebetween the tube to be repaired.

5. A sealing` plug for use in closing puncturf-s in tubes comprising,- a mushroomshaped element formed or rubber and having an enlargement upon the stem thereof, having a shoulder racing the head and concaveconvex washers having their concave faces opposed mounted uponthe stem intermediate the enlargement and the head and adapted to receive therebetween the tube to be repaired, the convex face of the Washer remote from the head being provided With a socket receiving the lovver end of said enlargement.

lin testimony whereof l hereunto affix my signature.

JOHN R. VQSBURGH. 

